Christian Atsu who has been known to be ill-lucked in his football career for sometime now is back to form. The Ghanaian winger has been impressing in his new club Newcastle United

It came as a gladdening surprise to fans to see Ghanaianain winger, Christian Atsu last the entire 90 minutes when Newcastle lashed Preston 6-0 to progress to the quarter finals of the League Cup.

In the game Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in each half on his first Newcastle start since September. Mohamed Diame also struck twice – his first goals for the club – while Matt Ritchie scored a penalty and Ayoze Perez netted in stoppage time.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez made seven changes to his side, who are top of the Championship table, including recalling Mitrovic and Diame. Preston midfielder Alan Browne had been sent off for elbowing Jack Colback. They led 1-0 through Mitrovic’s headed opener when Browne was dismissed.

Change of Attitude Brought Me Back to Form

Christian Atsu in an interview with The Chronicle, said his growing impact on loan at Newcastle United is as a result of a change of attitude in all necessary areas of his life.

Injuries restricted Atsu’s impact during previous loans Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga. Atsu since joining Chelsea in 2013 has been sent on loan in the last two years. He failed to impress at English Premier League clubs, Everton and Bournemouth and struggled for game time at Spanish La Liga side Malaga last season.

However, after enduring very difficult times with the three clubs, the player said he decided to make adjustments in the way he does everything that affects his body. Atsu explained that he discovered it is important to figure out where a problem is coming from whenever one encounters any and also take responsibility because the body belongs to him.

At Bournemouth, I had a lot of injuries that brought me setbacks in my football career. I left in January to Malaga, and when I went there I had another injury again. It was so frustrating, but I thought: ‘I need to take good care of myself.

I saw that I have to be responsible for these kinds of things. So I tried to change how I eat, my sleep and everything. I think I’m more professional, and more focused on my body than before… and I think I’m getting better, Atsu told the Chronicle.

Christian Atsu joined Newcastle United this season on loan from Chelsea football club. The Ghanaian international has since joining Newcastle, lived up to expectations in five successive Championship fixtures under Rafa Benitez. He has also netted a “wonder strike” goal for the club at Rotherham. He is expecting to seal a permanent deal with the championship club, following his loan spell.